Disappointed in Dan Choi

Aug 3, 2010

Dear Lt. Dan Choi,

When I attended the National Equality March in October 2009, I went with hopes of being inspired, becoming more informed, and a fire to fuel my college town and the city where I came out, which has been plagued as one of the most conservative cities in the nation. While gathering for the march to the nation’s Capitol, I was awestruck by the thousands of people who surrounded me. Queer college students from Connecticut, various gay couples who had been together for many years in a partnership that is not legally recognized, children with their same-sex parents, out of the closet, in the closet, Texans, Mexicans, Blacks, Asians, veterans, and even dogs donning rainbow attire. I no longer felt alone in my passion for fighting for what is right. I met people who had, like myself, scrounged together money to be able to attend such a momentous and life-changing event. I was 19 years old, in college, and ready to begin my journey to changing the world.

That day, I heard Cleve Jones speak. “We don’t organize to march, we march to organize.” he said. That sentence impacted me tremendously. He had just given me a huge responsibility. He told me that the fight didn’t stop on the grassy lawn of the Capitol. He forced me to make my scope of reality wider and bigger than I had anticipated. This wasn’t about me being at the National Equality March. This wasn’t about marching with 155,000 people who wanted the same thing as I did. This was about me going back to my small, conservative college town and creating my own movement. I took his words to heart, but I still wasn’t sold.

I was sitting on the ground when you began speaking. Then I heard you say, “But of all those things that are worth fighting for, love is worth it. Love is worth it!” I got goosebumps and immediately rose to see you speak, despite my exhaustion. As you were finishing, I had tears in my eyes. What you said impacted me more than any other speaker that day. I had then decided that I was in undeniable agreement with you — that love was worth it. Love was worth what were to be sleepless nights, three-hour conference calls, upsetting those who didn’t want change, inspiring those who did, and growing into myself all at the same time. Because of you, I decided that love was worth traveling to places to participate in demonstrations and protests when I couldn’t afford it, holding people in the movement accountable for their actions, educating those who were ignorant, and loving those who hate. After all, no amount of money can equate to love, right?

Since the march, I watched your speech over and over again to the point of memorization. For a long while, people would ask me why I am an activist, and I would say simply, “Because love is worth it.” Since that march, I began the arduous journey to get you to speak at my school, Texas Tech University. While speaking to your extremely rude agent, hype began to spread about your appearance. People were excited, and I just knew with my entire being that if I could get you to speak to the people I help every day, a fire would be lit in the queer community of Lubbock, Texas. To me, the mere hope of reaching out to those who meet my words with deaf ears was worth putting up with your agent and the exorbitant amount of $10,000 to get you out here. I never for a moment questioned why it was that much, or why you were charging anything at all.

I had the privilege of speaking during an event to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in Dallas. I spoke to the marchers with intensity and all of the passion I had. I made sure they felt every word to the core just as I did when I heard you speak. I ended with telling them to, “Own their own truth.” Many have wondered what that means. I’ll explain it as this: Owning your own truth is holding yourself accountable as a participating person for the progress of the movement. Owning your truth can start by coming out, loving yourself, loving others like you and who differ from you, and progressing to sacrificing and putting together events for the movement for equality.

Make sure you read the definition of owning your own truth carefully.

About a month ago, after nine months of dealing with your agent, I received an e-mail directly from you. In short, you basically said that the only way I could get you to speak is if I raised enough money to bring you to Tech. No deals, no compromises, end of story.

Sir, before I say my point, I want to say that I respect you as a servicemember and war veteran of this country. My brother graduated from the Air Force Academy a year after you graduated from West Point, and I have the utmost respect for both of you for that. I appreciate your service and risking your life to protect mine.

However, I’ve lost all respect for you as a gay- and human-rights activist. In the course of my two short years as an activist in the communities I have lived in, I have met amazing people such as Irene Andrews, C.d. Kirven and Michael Robinson, who travel from city to city, state to state with their own money and ask NOTHING from those who request their speaking services. These people, like myself, live, breath and eat queer activism. They live to inspire others. They live to show the compassion of love to others. They have not lost sight of what is truly important here: equality for all.

You, sir, have lost sight in one of those many $10,000 checks written to you, of why you came out and became an activist in the first place. Remember, Lt. Choi? LOVE IS WORTH IT. LOVE is worth cutting a deal to poor college kids in an extremely conservative city who’s only desire is to make headway in their community. LOVE is worth sacrificing money to give my friends and others who are currently serving in silence the hope to remember they are worth it. Love isn’t made by money. Love isn’t made by your agent, Alec Melman. Love isn’t tangible when you’re suffocated by greed as you are. Love is constantly flowing through the heart and brain. Love is giving. Love isn’t defined by financial status, color, gender, creed, age or sexual orientation.

Your definition of love is no longer my definition of love.

So, I ask you, Lt. Choi: Own your truth. Hold yourself accountable for your actions. Look at what you preach and see if it matches your actions. Think about when you were my age, just going into West Point, and feeling alone next to your brothers and sisters. Remember Matthew. Remember Irene, C.d. and Michael. Remember me. Remember those 155,000 people who heard your words. After you do that, think about those in Lubbock, Texas, and other cities who couldn’t “afford” you and how you could have changed their lives.

Is he asking for airfare and housing? Or a large fee? Surely there’s student association money or fund raising that could be done. The man can’t just travel for free and right now his power is to be in Washington in front of a camera. Did you consider General Cammermeyer as a speaker or any of the locally-based victims of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell? Would it be less expensive to sponsor a student trip to DC or somewhere else he will be appearing? Get sponsors, host a bake sale or rummage sale. When I was in Gay Lesbian Bisexual Young Adults we raised money by painting the wall of (then) Sue Ellens with a large Rainbow flag and selling bricks with person messages painted on them. We raised a LOT of money that way.

It just seems a little extreme to blast a man with this much of a national spot light on him for not coming to Texas Tech right now. He’s a lot more powerful doing the work while the press still focuses on him.

I tried to get him to come to my school, Chapman University, which is a mile from his home town in southern California. His agent was arrogant – like you said – and when I told him we couldn’t afford it this year but that we might be able to next year, he hounded me with e-mails asking me when we’d like to have him. It was obvious that Dan wanted a free ticket home to see his family and a handsome $10,000 speaking fee to boot.

I also think that Dan’s use of his military coming-out to catapult Don’t Ask Don’t Tell into the national spotlight was bad timing and irresponsible to the LGBTQ community at large. There are significantly more important issues – ENDA, etc – that affect many more people than just those interested in joining the military. Since Congress’s #1 priority isn’t gay rights – even when it’s a Congress virtually owned by Democrats (something that’s not likely to happen again anytime soon) – they only pass some gay rights legislation at a time. So basically, DADT was catapulted by Dan Choi as the number one priority of the gay community and they’ve put off more important legislation (ENDA!!!) to work on DADT.

More importantly, if he didn’t charge, how is he supposed to pay his mortgage, car payment and other bills? He’s made speaking at schools and rallies across the country a full-time commitment. Love for a cause can only take anyone so far. It’s unreasonable and naive to expect him to be a starving activist. If that were the case, only trust fund babies could afford to be activists. What’s worse – helping to fund Dan Choi so that he can tell his story about the evils of DADT or having only the super wealthy represent us on just about every issue?

Let’s turn the tables – I think it’s selfish of any of us to think that he should be doing this for free. If he’s committing his life to helping our greater cause, the least we can do is help pay his bills.

Preach it Nonnie, You are a WINNER! As Vice-President of the GSA at Tech I can attest to the arduous journey that this has been. Being Lubbock born and bred, I was so excited to possibly have Dan Choi here. Unfortunately, life hands us disaapointments, but to all those who read this and this page, let them know: The LGBTQIA movement here in Lubbock, Texas will NOT BE SILENCED and we WILL move forward for full equality here in this sea of red.

I just have to say that Lt Choi was honorably discharged which means that he does get a sizable pension from the government. Also his husband isnt doing too shabby, so he does not go for want of things. Just sayin!

I’m with Cooper… And Corey, it’s never “bad timing and irresponsible” to demand justice. Rosa Parks didn’t wait for the right time to get to the front of the bus. ACT UP didn’t wait for the right time to fight for AIDS funding. Things happen because people don’t just sit back and wait for the right time. GET EQUAL and Lt Choi did us a great service.

I’m just saying that Dan’s actions in getting DADT put on the top of the LGBTQ rights priority list, ENDA, which is outrageously overdue already, is getting delayed. The world isn’t as ideal as “when there’s institutional injustice, stand up against it.” Getting institutional equality is a strategic game.

Your message is like looking back, in 2003, into a mirror when I was all alone in the Univ of Houston-Clear Lake. I was given the task by the Dean of Students to get gender identity and expression into our nondiscrimination statement. When I turned to the local, state, and national glbt organizations, no one responded to any of my questions in the beginning. I was all alone with no one to discuss the “how to’s” of activism and policy changes. Neither Lambda Legal, NGLTF, ACLU, HRC, or any other organization would respond to any questions I presented. All I wanted was direction and information, I never asked for anyone to do my work.
Because of that early experience I have committed my efforts to work hard to not let any other transgender in the state of Texas to ever feel all alone. I gathered together a group of people to create the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit to let others know they are not alone and also to help people with current information and teaching the “how to’s” I had to learn the hard way.
I hope I can meet you at next summer’s Third Annual Texas Nondiscrimination Summit at Texas A&M. For the past two years the summit has been free, this year we are looking at a simple fee that most any student can afford. The actual dates will be announced later.

Great letter. Very insightful. I had a similar experience when I was trying to book him for my radio show.
Choi gave me his home number and as it got closer to the interview…..the money subject came up.
I have a lot of respect for Mr. Choi, and think he should be paid his travel expenses and some small fee for his time…..but 10K? He is not Dan Ga Ga.

The speakers tour is a business, pure, plain and simple. When I used to do graphic design, i was asked to do pro bono work for organizations all the time. You should have heard the howls of disgust and shame that it was just WRONG for me t……o do this. The time Lt. Choi spends in the airport, in transit, getting ready, having to the the grin-and-shake all costs big bucks. This is the time he is not working for a full-time employer…but the people who do the requesting DO have full time jobs where they get paid full-time salaries. I did graphic design and multimedia work for my own profit…not just because I liked doing it or for my health.

Nonnie, not only are you are one of those people who obviously doesn’t quite understand show business — and that what it is — you’re probably one of those people who vacations in San Diego assuming that your friends here or the people you are staying with are on vacation too.

Bob & Cooper these are words from a heart that believed what Choi said. It would not hurt Choi’s income to do some benevolent service on behalf of the university. I don’t believe she’s asking him to go free gratis every speech the rest of his life. LIke someone said, he’s not Dan Ga Ga. Things happen for a reason, and as someone else suggested there are many more fine speakers that would be more effective than he.. What started as a passion has ended up as his occupation as many make their occupations from all of these GLBTQ groups that take donations. I really do not see much results from his speeches and civil disobedience to date. Oh, that’s right, 400,000 in the military get to decide what they feel and think about ending DADT. Is that what he achieved? In researching for ideas to promote this cause, I went and read articles about the 60’s race activism. The people that joined that movement were college kids, but had good ideas, well organized plans, and determination. She wasn’t asking him to not make any money, just reduce the price. She was not against paying expenses. Bottom line, when moneyand a manager (greed) enter the picture, out goes the validity. It’s sad. But I guarantee you one thing, this girl would never take money to speak if someone truly “needed” her. What’s really the joke on him is that she took what he gave her in Washington, and is well on her way to activating from the heart without becoming a millionaire. I might take this opportunity to anyone who has posted a response on here, to write a letter to the president, congressmen, anybody you like, tell them your story, tell them how you feel. Letters are powerful.

Same experience in trying to get Choi to our NY Youth group and he was already in NY for Pride week. He and his agent said the min is 10K for 30 minutes, no excuses, no delays and pay in advance. Choi also kept calling asking if we would be raising the money to pay him even after we told him that 10K is our small youth organizations entire yearly budget! His agent even told us he is a star and that next year his fees will rise along with his fame. We wished Choi on your new career that seemed more directed to a mini series, “the Dan Choi Story”, then activism in our humble view.

If you’ll reread the letter to him, Paul, she’s over him. Got it? I might suggest you go on vacation, Paul. If you are correct in calling this show business, I would hope smart people would not invest in this type of activism. The people she mentions in her letter that speak, are very good at it, and have full time jobs. Now, that’s “true” activism. Let him go out and get a full time job in the real world!

I do not think it is wise to put so much hope in one person to spark a movement in Lubbock. Change occurs on a local level with people like Nonnie doing what she does. Getting more people involved in activism is going to be an arduous effort and not something that will be quickly accomplished by the words of one person.

Walk a mile in his pumps for a minute. At the end of the day Lt. Choi is a man, not a super hero. He must provide for himself – simply the choice for him is between not speaking at all (because its very expensive, everything from taxis, hotels, pet sitter, tips etc. – it really adds up) OR speaking and taking a fee. $10k seems like a lot but in the speaker business it so small that I’m surprised he can get an agent to represent him for that fee. For the record I was in a similar situation and didn’t take fees, even while many gay groups WERE raising money when I spoke. Eventually I was faced with the same choices. I’n my case – I stopped speaking, and concentrated on my new life. Which is better?

Choi quit the Army in 2008. Nine months later he joined the NY National Guard with the intent of making DADT an issue. Everything he has done since has benefited Dan Choi and NOT the LGBT Community. His publicity stunts didn’t help us, they may have helped raised his speaking fees.

I think his career as an Activist (paid) was over when he tried to commit suicide by starving himself – for 5 days. When nobody cared, he “ended” the hunger strike that never really began.

Dan Choi and GetEQUAL have tried to make activism a career. They want to generate attention and get paid. People and organizations should get paid for results, not stunts.

I been reading the comments today about this story because it’s personal to me I know Dan Choi as an activist and a friend. My name is Michael Robinson co-founder of GetEQUAL NOW and I was also an original member of Get Equal. And for those of you who don’t know, Robin McGehee and others came to Dallas, Texas and met with activist here for the first meeting of naming the organization. C.D.KIRVEN who is my co-founder came up with the name Get Equal here at the Brick on Wycliff. If you would like to see pictures of that meeting or even video I have that to back up ANY thing I say in this comment.

I going to speak on behalf of Nonnie because it seems some of you out there are misguided about the process of activism and those of us who put our lives on the line to fight for fairness and equality for ALL of us not just some of us. Some of you have attacked her as if she done something wrong.

I personally spoke to Dan Choi about him coming to Texas Tech and I also was working in conjunction with Nonie about the event because we are going to do a workshop at the same time Dan Choi was suppose to come out and speak. I wanted him to see the bigger picture about what he could offer if he came to inspire these young minds who were excited to be part of the process. I have text messages to validate what I am saying to be true. I asked him to do this with the money they had raised which was less than two thousand dollars and he said that he would. Then I get an email stating that I would have to go through his agent. I said Dan come on man you don’t need an agent to do this kind of work this is what we talked about at the Highlander Center and why we were activist and the reason why we wanted to do things different than what was happening.

I knew then that Dan was doing this for all the wrong reasons and I told him that. Dan is my brother and I have a duty to speak my truth to him because we have a personal relationship as friends and fellow activist. I would have hoped he would do what was best in this situation but he has the right to make his own choice as well.

But this is not an entertainment business for those of you who have expressed it that way. For many grassroots activist we do this because our lives depend on it and because we are trying to gain equality not only for us but for those young hearts and minds so they don’t have to live under oppression like we have for so many years. We have a right to question those who put themselves in the public arena of this struggle because they are asking others to follow them and fight with them in this LGBTQ civil right movement. I live under the same rule as well.

Nonnie I support you and your courage, I support my brother Dan Choi on his journey. I pray that he find his way and get back to what is important for the movement.

Dan Choi should have different prices for different groups. College groups (has a long time veteran of them) can not raise 10k at a drop of a hat. Nor should they for just a speaker, I can understand covering travel expenses, a lil extra money, etc but charging a student group 10k is a sad joke. The one group that I did work with who could raise that much donated the bulk of it to Parkland Rape Crisis and other women’s charities. That money and energy can be much better spent on filling the gap left by Obama’s (and Clinton’s and Bush’s) funding of Aids Drug Assistance Program or helping the epidemic of queer youth homelessness. Dan Choi should cut them a deal and tell them to save the big bucks for people who need it for more than he does.

Choi doesn’t recieve a “pension” from the government. If he retired he would, but that takes 20 years of service. He could also get payments for a disability incurred during service, but that often takes years to get it approved. Please have correct information before making such sweeping statements.

That being said, way to go Noonie. People liek Dan shoudl get paif for thier time and travel expenses but 10,000 is overboard. He isn’t the only one, so teh spotlight should be brighter than just him.army@gmail.com

Inspiration or not, it costs $$$ to travel, and there are bills to pay between speaking engagements. Plus, if Dan Choi is going to be able to afford irritating the gov’t on our behalf when not speaking, he’s gotta have some $$$ in reserve.
Bottom line — He’s running a business that advocates for social justice. A $10,000 speaking fee is reasonable, particularly since expenses in that business are high, and opportunites to collect $$$ are infrequent. What you are paying for in that fee is not just the privilege to be “entertained” by his personal appearance, but also for the time and resources it takes for him to continue doing what he’s doing. If the folks out there in Lubbock don’t think he’s worth the $10k, then find someone else, like your local congressman to talk to ya.

I agree with David. If Dan doesn’t run his life like a business, he won’t last long. If someone doesn’t want to pay $10k, then find someone else.

I’m shocked at the amount of negativity pointed his direction. It’s typical of our community to tear down those who are high-profile. Frankly, it’s none of my business what he makes or how much he donates. And regardless of what his motives are, his overall message is a good one that needs to be put out into the world on our behalf.

Being high-profile helps put a face on the issue, and that’s a very good way to make progress. We should be grateful that he’s sacrificed his privacy (and possibly risked his life at times) to allow us to use him as a poster boy for that part of our civil rights movement.

Really Cooper? Dan Choi “risked his life?” Are you referring to his 5-day hunger strike?

Choi should make a living. The problem is much of his “story” has been manufactured – by Choi. Choi left the Army in 2008 and then joined the NY National Guard. Shortly after he “came out” on Rachel Maddow’s Show. Then he taunted the Military with his stunts. His claim that “DADT destroyed his career” which was paying him $350 a month is a gross exaggeration. It turns out his career has been making appearances and speeches. The revelation of his $10,000 fee and salary from GetEQUAL are ending his career, not DADT or the Military.

I’m not sure anyone in the community has called Choi a “leader.” Many have questioned his publicity stunts and many of us were worried about his mental state when he tried to commit suicide by starvation. It became clear he was starving for attention – attention that would justify speaking fees.

While I understand that 10K is a hefty sum for a small group of college kids to raise, I remind you not to lose sight of what Dan has sacrificed personally. He gave up his ENTIRE CAREER to speak out against DADT, and to assume that he can visit every place that requests him and be able to pay for his travel expenses “with his own money” is entitlist and a pretty big assumption about economic privilege. Do you really feel that Dan, who no longer receives a paycheck from the military and spends his full time speaking, educating, and committing acts of civil disobedience, doesn’t have a right to financial support to keep doing what makes him such an inspiring activist? It’s not like he’s wearing any best-dressed activist awards or having posh fundraisers with Lady Gaga. No, he gave up his career, was thrown out by his conservative Christian parents, and now sacrifices his privacy and safety every time he makes a public appearance to speak out for the rights of others. And he absolutely has a right to make a living from that.

Sure, Dan Choi risked his life the minute he signed up and got sent to the Middle East.
I don’t know what he was doing there, but anyone in the military is supposed to be prepared to confront the enemy with whatever weapons are necessary.
He’s a good guy, a patriot, an outspoken advocate for social justice, and what I would consider to be a Hero.

He’s had the gall to follow up on his justified objections to DADT, and took his concerns as high up as he considered appropriate. He also had the courage to do so in the eye of the news cameras, and as a result of his attempt to secure the same rights as other folks, he’s become notorious in the eyes of a lot of prospective employers. So, yes, I’d say this has been a career-stunting endeavor. But what should he have done instead? Cower in silence and put up with the injustice of DADT?
IMHO, he did the only reasonable thing that a courageous and honest military officer could do. And for that, he has my complete respect and admiration.

Well, Leslie, he won’t be getting any money from Nonnie’s GSA. There are tons of speakers out there. Who needs him? I still ask what exactly have his stunts done in the name of Equality? Got him arrested, made him sick, and stopped traffic in Las Vegas. That about sums it up. All of those things are not worth $10,000 and first class flight! Like I told the other yahoos on here posting, she’s moved on. She’s over him. There are tons of ex service members with way more interesting stories than he! He does not deserve to make that much money on these critical issues unless he’s gotten something accomplished! He’s no celebrity to me, and especially not worth that kind of money. Thanks Michael Robinson for coming to Non’s aid! She knows where her heart lies, and would never take $$$$ for speaking to people that really needed it! If you want to read negativity go to the BlogRoll on this site. Those are dillies. I’m not even going there. Mom’s can’t take the heat about their children if you get my drift!

I think what it comes down to is Dan’s “I’m a big celebrity, pay me this or you can’t have me” attitude. If Dan was down to earth, he would have written to Nonnie as a brother in the LGBT movement, tell him why he has to charge that much, apologize that he can’t cut him a break, suggest a few other speakers, and tell him to keep fighting the good fight. It’s about communication and courtesy.

And thank you Michael Robinson for affirming the point that Nonnie is trying to make – not that Dan should do things for free, but that he is approaching this with the wrong attitude.

Choi quit the Army in 2008. Quit. Later he joined the NY National Guard BECAUSE he decided to make himself a celebrity regarding DADT. He didn’t LOSE a career, he was trying to create one, based on celebrity, not equality.

Choi is not a celebrity and he is not an activist. I’m not sure what he is.

You have suggested Choi is a celebrity. Perhaps that is true. What’s more important is authenticity. I don’t see it when I know the whole story. He didn’t sacrifice a “career” as you claim – he quit the Army in 2008. He became a member of the NY National Guard for $350 a month and then a few months later began his protest of DADT. He suggested that others in the military who didn’t “come out” weren’t “courageous.” they he engaged in what can only be described as self-serving publicity stunts.

I don’t understand your admiration for Choi IF you understand the facts – unless your are his agent.

Maybe you are not alone in your admiration for Dan. In fairness and to that end, he should allow people to make donations via his website. I don’t see $10,000 speaking engagements, but i’m sure a bunch of people might donate $10 or $20 to help support his efforts. That would be a lot more authentic than what we’ve seen so far.

When I came out in the USAF in 1977, I sure wanted some company too. Having been there, done that, I have an idea of what that part of his adventure was like.

One thing I learned over the past few decades is not to expect purity out of one’s heros, or else I wouldn’t have any heros. He most likely isn’t perfect, he probably should have done lots of things differently, and probably hasn’t been as effective as he could have been. And his agent may well be the tackiest person on the planet.

But we’re all human, and Dan Choi is young and he’s still learning (I hope so, anyway).

Everyone has something they can contribute to this issue, be it the HRC and “Gay Inc.” with their corporate approach to things, or the In-Your-Face confrontationalists with short tempers and public demands for immediate action. Even our Church-moms at home can help by praying and talking up our issues to their church friends.

Everyone can help. Folks who don’t appreciate the contribution other people make could relax and just give them some slack. If they make mistakes, or need to improve certain skills, well, hoperully they’ll learn.

Yep, no need for anyone on the team to fight, ’cause we’re all working for the same thing.

Haven’t we killed this one folks? Dan Choi is not coming. He doesn’t care what you think and you’re just going to have to bug some other celebrity to come to your party for free. OR learn not to pin your hopes and your ambitions on people in the press. They are not Gods. Every role model will eventually disappoint you. Grow a bit and get past it.

The fact remains that Dan Choi, as an Arabic linguist and a West Point graduate, is a perfect example of the kind of skill that the armed forces have lost, will continue to lose, and will have to keep replacing because of DADT. Not everyone agrees with his particular strategies, but stopping traffic and getting in the news and keeping the issue alive is, imo, a much more effective way of spreading awareness than helping Kathy Griffith film an episode of some mediocre reality show and attending substanceless dog and pony shows at the White House.

I’ve never heard his accusation that closeted military members weren’t courageous, so I’d appreciate if you could point toward a primary source. And I’m not sure what you mean by “authentic” activism. The fact remains that speaking engagements remain his primary source of income, and he remains the best known example of exactly why DADT is a harmful and hypocritical policy. If you think he achieved that through stunts, go ahead and dislike him as a person, but I don’t think it’s accurate to deny that he hasn’t brought a lot of people’s attention to DADT and its threat to national security.

You people are absolutely crazy for criticizing someone for their speaking fee. You do not “own” public figures. They are public because they put themselves out there, not because you own them.
Shame on you for even printing this drivel.

That’s childish bull-shit TomP., Nobody has questioned his “speaking fees” we have questioned his motives.

He quit the Army in 2008. Then, he joined the NY National Guard for $350 a month. He has claimed that DADT “destroyed his career?” The Army or the $350 a month National Guard. Choi needs to answer that question.

I don’t think Choi is a “public figure.” But, he has suggested he represents the LGBT community. Therefore, we can ask questions about his motives and his story. It is up to him to answer those questions. Or not.

As always, there is more to this debate, over money, than meets the eye. This is one Lubbockites story and does not represent the whole. There have been many events planned with successful fund raising efforts accomplished to bring in speakers and entertainers to Lubbock in the past. Lt. Dan Choi is still on the list of group and individual organizers, in Lubbock, to try and bring him to our small city.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have been involved in past and future planning to bring awareness about our small but dedicated GLBTQ community.

For me, the best way to sum this debate up about how/why activist speakers are paid, read Jessica Valenti’s blog, “What is Feminism Worth?” http://jessicavalenti.com/?p=599

Both GetEQUAL and Dan Choi cannot generate any donations from the LGBT Community.

What does that tell you?

It’s just about accountability. I know you hate that, but it is the new reality for LGBT advocates and activists. Ideas, tactics and strategies must be held accountable. Outdated historical references are not proof of effectiveness. GetEQUAL’s childish stunts do not help our community in any way – they simply embarrass us. They are like your silly QueerLiberaction in Dallas. They’re all just ineffective attention-whores.

Well, I hope you find some speakers who y’all like, and who is a better fit for your organization. I’m sure you’ll find someone, and I sure Dan Choi will continue on as well.
I wish everyone nothing but the best, and nothing but success.
Also, my thanks and appreciation to all of you for being concerned, working for progress, and for being nice people.

Nonnie – keep the faith! It warms my heart to see pure hearted young activists like you emerging on the scene (and it breaks my heart when folks like you get slapped in the face by the greedy commercialized side of activism)

Lt Choi – $ 10,000 for a THIRTY MINUTE SPEECH is OBSCENE – obviously, you’ve started to think like a CEO, rather than a fighter for social justice. That’s just sad and I feel sorry for you.

Again, you people criticizing this man who served his country, as I did, are complete idiots.
Get a clue, get a life, join the military, do something other than BITCH about what someone else is DOING.
I’m about to quit reading this paper because of this right wing spin that so often seems to come out of Dallas.
Quislings!

Um, it’s pretty hard to fight the good fight when you’re not making an income. People whose jobs don’t take place every day (a speaker might speak a few times a month) regularly charge this kind of money. A college student might think of “making a living” as the basics of food and shelter, but people who are a bit older also have to think about supporting children and/or aging parents, retiring, etc. Retirement takes many, many thousands of dollars; what seems like a lot of money to a college student is what a person at an advanced level of their career needs to support a long life in a capitalist nation. Activists are people who need to make a living and plan for the future like anyone, and they are entitled to set their own rates for their labor, just as you are entitled to do business with them or not.

This “student leader” is a selfish idiot.. Lt. Dan Choi is a hero…and I’m sure every school asks him to come and speak. I’m sure he’s got more important things to do…like twisting the arms of Senators to repeal DADT. Hopefully Texas Tech Gay Straight Alliance will pull the plug on this dingbat!

Jen…I really enjoyed reading your reasoned and thoughtful reply. It is sad when some small potato tries to make a name for themselves by attacking a true HERO in our community. I think Lt. Dan Choi is the best PR our community has seen in quite a while. Americans admire our military people, and they will listen to an appeal from somebody wearing the uniform. As an Asian-American, Dan Choi, is one of the few role models for the hundreds of thousands of Gay Asian youth.

If any of you read the thread of comments here, including posts by a close associate of Dan’s, you’ll realize that he’s lost sight of what’s important about the work he’s doing and has effectively “sold out” to his iconic image. Read the comments on the thread. Nonnie has every right to complain.

“‘sold out’ to his iconic image”….what does that mean? You are just complaining to hear yourself complain.
There is no real substance to your comment.
Public speakers have a right to charge that high fees that THEY ALL charge, unless they are doing some type of charity, which many of them STILL get paid for. People that run charitable and public action organizations STILL GET PAID. And they get paid well, people don’t do this for a living for NOTHING. Even Mother Theresa was paid. Get a clue, Corey and Nonnie. Wait, are you members of GOProud? uh huh.

I didn’t say my point was within my comment. I said if you read the comments in this thread, you’ll realize the conclusions I mentioned. I’m not saying Choi hasn’t done a lot for the movement towards DADT repeal or that it’s not great that he’s a symbol of hope for Asian LGBT youth. I’m saying his heart is in the wrong place, and that he’s arrogant. I don’t know about you, but I’d like my heros to be good hearted and real. Read the comments, please.

As a side note, what I’m saying has nothing to do with the amount of money he’s asking. I’m fine with people making a living doing good things. It has to do with the situation with Nonnie and Choi’s attitude.